University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository University of Calgary Press University of Calgary Press Open Access Books 2015-06 So Far and yet so Close: Frontier Cattle Ranching in Western Prairie Canada and the Northern Territory of Australia Elofsen, Warren M. University of Calgary Press Elofson, W. M. "So Far and yet so Close: Frontier Cattle Ranching in Western Prairie Canada and the Northern Territory of Australia". University of Calgary Press, Calgary, Alberta, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/50481 book http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca SO FAR AND YET SO CLOSE: FRONTIER CATTLE RANCHING IN WESTERN PRAIRIE CANADA AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA By Warren M. Elofson ISBN 978-1-55238-795-5 THIS BOOK IS AN OPEN ACCESS E-BOOK. 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Acknowledgement: We acknowledge the wording around open access used by Australian publisher, re.press, and thank them for giving us permission to adapt their wording to our policy http://www.re-press.org APPENDIX A COWBOY POETRY More evidence of the universality and durability of frontier cowboy cul- ture is found in the continuing popularity of a great array of Western or country music and art that emanated from the early days, as young men tried to entertain themselves on roundup or muster or on the droving trail. What follows is some relatively recent poetry from both continents that, like the enduring culture of the rodeos, speak volumes. The first two compositions reflect the close relationship that often formed between man and his indispensable friend, the horse. The second two mirror the work- ing lives of men who trailed the herds to pasture or market. Only minor peculiarities of language make it possible to discern from which continent any of these poems originated. Horses and People – A Cowboy’s Poem We were all gathered at the sale barn waitin’ for the horse sale to get underway When this old hand sat amongst us, it was easy seein’ “Cowboy” was on his resume He watched the horses come and go With an easy, patient horseman’s eye. He studied each horse as they came through, but he never nodded or attempted to buy. 211 I found myself watchin’ the old man When to my surprise he turned and spoke. “Horses are a lot like folks I’ve known, some’s honest and true, others can’t be broke.” Then he pointed out a nice sorrel filly as she swatted her tail and gave a squeal. “She’s like Miss Milly down at the diner, plenty of good looks and sex appeal. And that skinny lookin’ ole horse, actin’ all touchy, nervous and rank, he reminds me of old Mr. T. Wad the loan officer at the bank. Now that old mare, she’s a kid’s horse She’d teach ’em and they’d never come to harm She’s sure a lot like old Mrs. Beachem a grand lady, and my first school marm. See that little two-year-old boy, he’d like to break and run. All he wants is away from here, He reminds me of my son.” It seemed like we sat for hours, Talkin’, laughin’ and comparin’ notes, About honest horses and people we knew, Those we like and those not worth the oats. About that time, an old bay entered the ring, the old hands voice began to soften. “If he was a man, I’d call him friend and that’s just somethin’ I don’t do often. 212 SO FAR AND YET SO CLOSE “A little thin and gray around the muzzle, Like me, he’s gotten on in years But there’s a heap of know-how restin’ between that old horse’s ears. “That old horse is some ole cowboy’s pal, Sellin’ him, would be like committin’ a sin. So if you’ll excuse me boys, think I’ll just buy him back again!”1 “Cowboy Blues” GRAEME KING I dropped a quarter in the slot and pressed A-42, the bass line started hummin’ from afar, the guy behind the counter mixed me up another brew, I saw my teardrops splashin’ on the bar. The pain was like a bullwhip – just one year ago today my little Dolly lost her gallant fight, the angels came ’a callin’ and they took my little girl away and still I cry most every single night. Her favourite song, I still recall her eyes aglow at me each time I hummed that sentimental tune, I’d put my arms around her neck and hold her tenderly, but then she went and left me way too soon. The images flashed through my mind of just a year before, it broke my heart to lay her in the ground, we had three happy years but there would never be no more, I hung my head and howled like a hound. Appendix A 213 The song upon the jukebox ended, everything was still, that barroom was as quiet as a mouse, the bar man looked at me and said: “Ole buddy drink your fill, and everything tonight is on the house.” A cowboy brought a bottle over, stood there by my side. He said: “Here’s to your grief I see it’s bad.” I blinked through tears. “One year ago today my Dolly died – the best danged horse a cowboy ever had.2 “The Ballad of the Drover” HENRY LAWSON Across the stony ridges, Across the rolling plain, Young Harry Dale, the drover, Comes riding home again. And well his stock-horse bears him, And light of heart is he, And stoutly his old packhorse Is trotting by his knee. Up Queensland way with cattle He’s traveled regions vast, And many months have vanished Since home-folks saw him last. He hums a song of someone He hopes to marry soon; And hobble-chains and camp-ware Keep jingling to the tune. 214 SO FAR AND YET SO CLOSE Beyond the hazy dado Against the lower skies And yon blue line of ranges The station homestead lies. And thitherward the drover Jogs through the lazy noon, While hobble-chains and camp-ware Are jingling to a tune. An hour has filled the heavens With storm-clouds inky black; At times the lightning trickles Around the drover’s track; But Harry pushes onward, His horses’ strength he tries, In hope to reach the river Before the flood shall rise. The thunder, pealing o’er him, Goes rumbling down the plain; And sweet on thirsty pastures Beats fast the splashing rain; Then every creek and gully Sends forth its tribute flood The river runs a banker, All stained with yellow mud. Now Harry speaks to Rover, The best dog on the plains, And to his hardy horses, And strokes their shaggy manes: “We’ve breasted bigger rivers When Hoods were at their height, Nor shall this gutter stop us From getting home tonight!” Appendix A 215 The thunder growls a warning, The blue, forked lightning’s gleam; The drover turns his horses To swim the fatal stream.